The Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse and Maltreatment Course For Mandated Reporters

Reporting Procedures

When

Immediately, by telephone, at any time of day, seven days a week.
A written report must be filed within 48 hours of oral report.

To Whom

Oral telephone reports should be made to the New York State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR) by calling the statewide, toll-free telephone number:

MANDATED REPORTER HOTLINE 1-800-635-1522

A written report, signed by the reporter, must be filed with the local child protective services (CPS) within 48 hours of the oral report. (A written report involving a child cared for away from his or her home [e.g., foster care, residential care] should be submitted to the New York State Child Abuse and Maltreatment Register, 40 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12243.)

Reporters may wish to maintain careful notes for their own personal records, noting such things as dates, times, places, names of individuals involved in any reporting incident, etc.

For purposes of reporting suspected cases of child abuse and maltreatment to the State Central Register and Child Protective Services, it is important to understand the definition of who can be the "subject of the report" as defined by Section 412.4 of the Social Service Law.

>> "Subject of the report" means any:

• parent
• guardian
• custodian, or
• other person 18 years of age or older

- who is legally responsible for a child reported to the Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment

and

- who is allegedly responsible for causing - or allowing the infliction of - injury, abuse, or maltreatment to such child.

>> "Subject of the report" also means an

• operator of, or
• employee or volunteer in a home operated or supervised by an authorized agency, the Division for Youth, or an office of the Department of Mental Hygiene, or a family day-care home, day-care center, group family day-care home, or a day-services program,

-who is allegedly responsible for causing - or allowing the infliction of - injury, abuse or maltreatment to a child who is reported to the Central Register.

Of course, abuse and maltreatment may be caused by individuals other than a parent or person legally responsible for the child's care, such as neighbors or strangers. Such individuals might not fit the legal definition of the "subject of the report." In such instances, law enforcement authorities should be contacted.

When the alleged perpetrator of child abuse or maltreatment cannot be the "subject to a report" law enforcement authorities should be contacted directly. If a call is received by the State Central Register, and the person allegedly responsible for the abuse or maltreatment cannot be the subject of a report, and the SCR believes that the alleged acts or circumstances described by the caller may constitute a crime or an immediate threat to the child's health or safety, the SCR is required by law to transmit the information contained in the call to the appropriate law enforcement agency, district attorney, or other public official empowered to provide necessary aid or assistance (Social Services Law, Sec 422.2(c))

What to Include

Telephone Report:

• the names and addresses of the child and his/her parents or other person responsible for his/her care;
• Any reports filed in regard to suspected child abuse must include the name, title, and contact information of all staff persons with knowledge of the alleged abuse;
• the child's age, gender, and race;
• the nature and extent of the child's injuries, abuse or maltreatment, including any evidence of prior injuries, abuse, or maltreatment to the child or his/her siblings;
• the name of the person or persons responsible for causing the injury, abuse, or maltreatment
• family composition;
• the source of the report;
• the person making the report and where s/he can be reached;
• the actions taken by the reporting source, including the taking of photographs or X-rays, removal or keeping of the child, or notifying the medical examiner or coroner; and
• any additional information that may be helpful.

The lack of complete information does not prohibit a person from reporting.

Written Report is placed on the LDSS-2221-A form titled- Report of Suspected Child Abuse or Maltreatment. This form is available in the Additional Resources Section of this course. It can also be obtained from your local CPS office or on the Office of Children & Family Services website at www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main/forms/ to download a PDF version. (The free adobe reader is required to view and print the PDF. It is available for download by clicking the Get Adobe Reader graphic -setup graphic)

Written reports are admissible as evidence in any judicial proceedings; accuracy is vital.